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Get A Haircut Among Hondas

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By KLINT LOWRY

The Suncoast News

Published: November 2, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Back in 1966 when James Brown sang "This is a man's world," there was no manlier of domains than the corner barbershop.

Nowadays when a guy needs a trim, odds are he goes to a "family" salon, waits half an hour sharing a pastel bench with fidgety children amid the overbearing odor of hair care products and a choice of reading materials - "Family Circle," "Woman's Day," or hairstyle catalogs.

"Guys hate getting their hair cut; it's a chore," said Allison White, who along with her husband, Jason, recently opened The Blonde Barber, at 5426 Main St.

The two Honda motorcycles parked in the front window are the first clue this isn't just another salon. Once inside, men will find an atmosphere that ought to get their motors running. The Blonde Barber is like a cross between a motorcycle garage, a guys' clubhouse and a barber shop. Another Honda sits underneath two big screen TVs that are invariably tuned to sports, CNN and other male-friendly channels customers can watch in leather La-Z-Boy recliners. And if you don't like what's on, the remote control is right there for the surfing.

Oh, and that beer tap up at the front desk, that isn't just for show. A free beer comes with each haircut.

If you go into a fancy women's salon, they offer you wine and cheese, White said. For a guys' salon, why not have beer and pretzels?

"The only thing I can't do is advertise 'free beer with every haircut,'" she said.

White said she and Jason figured they needed a niche when they decided to open a barbershop. The couple lived in Waterford, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. Jason had always worked on vintage cars, and they both liked motorcycles, and that was what started them in the direction that eventually evolved into The Blonde Barber concept.

There Were Some Delays

The shop was a work-in-progress for nearly a year, a poster featuring Allison on a motorcycle up in the front window. The shop has had people curious for a while, and wondering why it was taking so long to open.

The delay was the result of a string of bad luck that started before the business began. The Whites decided to move to a better climate because Jason had developed cystic fibrosis. Allison had managed several salons for her boss, and he offered to set them up in Florida, but had to pull out when his assets were frozen in a divorce proceeding.

The Whites managed to raise their seed money. But then Jason's mother died last November, and his father died in February. Soon after, Jason was in a motorcycle accident. That and the hereditary lung disease cystic fibrosis slowed him down from working on the place. He is on a waiting list for a lung transplant.

City officials, Greater New Port Richey Main Street and the local business community have been "incredibly supportive" through it all, Allison said, and it has been a big help.

Not 'The Hooters Of Haircuts'

With all the delays, that poster stayed in the window a little longer than was planned, which made Allison a bit self-conscious. Straddling the bike, looking back over her shoulder, the shot shows off her figure, to be sure, though it is well within the boundaries of public decency. Still, she was concerned how people might take it.

"I didn't want to give the wrong image," she said. "This is not, like, the Hooters of haircuts."

Teresa Brown, another stylist at the shop, seconded that motion.

"It's a great working atmosphere, great people to work for," Brown said.

She laughed about Allison being the blonde, her being the brunette and a third stylist, Lori Langan, being a redhead. That wasn't planned, White said.

"Lori does amazing flattops," White said.

They like to project the image of being three easygoing gals who are comfortable in a motorcycle motif and who give a mean haircut.

Only three weeks in, they haven't built up a steady clientele yet. In times like these, guys will tend to wait an extra week or two to get a haircut, Brown said. Then again, you get the occasional extra business repairing a home haircut gone wrong.

They offer services such as coloring and covering gray. For the most part, though, despite the biker theme, they are pretty much a straightforward barber shop, and with straightforward prices.

THE BLONDE BARBER

WHERE: 5426 Main St.

HOURS: 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Appointments can be made but are not necessary.

FOR INFORMATION: Call (727) 264-8811

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